August 2011
Rounded Rectangle: Family Justice Center 9309 N. Florida Ave. Suite #109 Tampa, Florida 33612 Phone: 813-935-2015 Fax: 813-935-2019 E-mail: info@fjchc.org Website: www.fjchc.org Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm Friday 8am-5pm Rounded Rectangle: In This Issue: A Gift Of Presence Interfaith Chaplaincy Training Family Justice Center Open House Macy’s “Shop for a Cause” Fundraiser Family Justice Center Donors Thank you for hosting A Children’s Clothing Drive FJC VOICES FJC Lunch and Learn FJC Monthly Partner Spotlight - Northside Mental Health Center FJC Position Opening- Program Assistant FJC Volunteer Program FJC Training Academy Child Welfare and Domestic Violence Cross System Training Series Nuts & Bolts Sexual Abuse Intervention Network Training Cross System Training Series Schedule Where Violence against Women Meet training Wheels of Success Walk a mile in her Shoes Community Meetings Rounded Rectangle: Family Justice Center Newsletter facebookRounded Rectangle: Volunteer Now! Rounded Rectangle: Donate Now! Rounded Rectangle: follow us on

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Text Box: Family Justice Center Donors Fiscal Year 10-11 3rd Quarter $0-$499 Stephanie West Darlene & Richard Rolfes Ryan Companies US, Inc. Patricia McRae Sam White Melissa Gohs $500-$1000 Rosemary Armstrong In-Kind Donations Frost Company McDonald’s Clothing Closet Donation We thank the many individuals that have made clothing and toiletry donations to our clothing closet. For more information or to make a donation please email the Outreach Coordinator at outreach@fjchc.org. We, and those we serve, deeply appreciate your support and generosity. Thank you Hillsborough County Bar Association for hosting a Clothing Drive for the Family Justice Center A group of individuals associated with the Hillsborough County Bar Association hosted a children’s clothing drive for the Family Justice Center. As a result we were able to meet more guests needs. It is people like you that make it possible for us to support domestic violence victims and their families in Hillsborough County. Every donation no matter how big or small helps us to support the efforts of meeting our guests immediate needs. On behalf of the Family Justice Center I would like to thank you for your generous gift of children’s items. Your commitment to helping end domestic violence in our community is sincerely appreciated. Remember, the Family Justice Center relies on donations to continue its mission of improving the lives of family violence victims. The Family Justice Center is always is need of children’s clothing including new underwear and diapers. Lela Morris Perez, VOICES Co-Chair The VOICES Advocacy Committee works toward creating a safer society in which family, domestic, and intimate partner violence is no longer tolerated. As survivors ourselves, our aim is to bring hope to victims and knowledge to the community. One of the biggest obstacles victims face is overcoming the fear that is the natural result of being abused. This fear comes in many forms, ranging from fear of physical pain, to fear for her children, to fear that neighbors and family will discover the secret. Each of us walks her own path away from that fear but some generalities can be made. Here are some ways you can support survivors in this journey. First, be careful not to blame the victim for the abuse. The blame lies squarely with the abuser, who uses any tactic he can to maintain control. Nothing the victim does or says excuses the abuser from responsibility for his actions. Second, don’t judge the victim for staying in the relationship. There are many possible reasons and many obstacles. It is not easy just to walk away, especially when children are involved. Third, be a good listener. Don’t tell the victim what to do – she is already being controlled by her abuser. Do ask what kind of help she would like, if any. Fourth, educate yourself about family, domestic, and intimate partner violence. Find out what resources are available in your community so you will be ready to help if she asks. Five, realize that getting out of an abusive relationship is a journey. Victims make their own paths and we must support them as best we can. No two people think alike and the way that we might choose may not be the way someone else chooses. One of the hardest things to overcome in life is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of what might be around the corner, fear of being alone. It can be even more difficult if someone you love (and who says he loves you) is the cause of that fear. As a society, we must support everyone’s efforts to push past the fear and walk toward freedom, especially those who face the added struggle of persecution by another. VOICES is an advocacy committee of the Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County comprised of survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence who have reached a level of healing where they are prepared to share their stories, provide feedback from a survivor perspective, and to advocate on behalf of those who voices have been silenced by violence.  New members, article, interviews and speaking engagements welcome!  To reach VOICES e-mail voices@fjchc.org or call 813-749-8762. FJC “Lunch and Learn” Program Presented by the Board of Directors and Nikki Daniels, FJC Executive Director The Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County is now taking reservations for our “Lunch and Learn” Program! August 16th, 2011 Please join us for a complimentary lunch and learn more about the FJC, our partner agencies and the valuable services that are helping our community combat domestic violence. We thank Dr. Kyron Tamar with Tampa Bay Surgical Group for sponsoring August Lunch and Learn Lunch and Learns are from 12:00pm - 1:00pm At the FJC Make your reservation now ~ space is limited. RSVP to Nikki Daniels at: ndaniels@fjchc.org. FJC Partner Council Spotlight The FJC Partner Spotlight for the month of August is Northside Mental Health Center’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF). Northside was established in 1976, as a non-profit organization committed to helping heal the hurt in the lives of thousands of Hillsborough County residents suffering from or at risk of, mental illness.  With nationally accredited programs, Northside sets the standard for best practices in mental health treatment, while making mental health care affordable and accessible to individuals and families and building a safer, healthier community. The TANF program guidelines are as followed: you must be a Hillsborough County resident, a U.S. Citizen or meet certain immigration requirements. In addition you must have at least one child under the age of 19 (A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student); or a pregnant woman; or a non custodial parent (must have court ordered child support documentation) plus have no health insurance, the family income is less than 200% of the federal poverty guideline and must be working, if not working must be willing to work or be enrolled in school or willing to go to school. The TANF Program is a federally funded program that has two goals that must be on a client’s treatment plan: Economic Self-Sufficiency and Family Stability. Economic Self-Sufficiency includes client’s willing to maintain employment, if unemployed they must be willing to work towards finding a job, Client can also have a higher educational learning goal or GED goal in place of the employment goal, clients who are on disability still qualify as long as they are willing to go back to work; if they are not willing to go back to work or say they cannot work they do not qualify. Family Stability includes working towards reunification with children if they have a child welfare case plan in place, working on problems within a marriage or working on effective parenting skills. Some of the other issues TANF can assist with are reunification with children, problems at work, difficulty locating a job, financial strain, problems with children, relationship problems, depression, anger, anxiety, referrals to outside agencies, psychiatric services provided based on a sliding scale fee. TANF receives referrals from the Department of Children and Families, Sheriff’s Department, mental health care providers, work Force Alliance, Family Justice Center, self referrals, family members, friends, etc. Northside is an on –site partner at the Family Justice Center and provides case management and access to individual , group, and family counseling and psychiatric care. If you would like to refer an individual to the TANF program give the client the Case Manager’s contact information. The Outreach Case Managers are Allison Friedman, BSW: 813-977-8700 ext. 4251 and Lucy Ibadulla, BSW: 813-977-8700 ext. 4322 If you would like to learn more about Northside Mental Health Center please visit http://www.northsidemhc.org. Thank you to Northside Mental Health Center for your hard work and dedication to the community. Family Justice Center is now accepting resumes for FJC Program Assistant! The Mission of the Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County is to improve the lives of family violence victims through community collaboration and the provision of comprehensive services in a single location. The Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County (FJCHC) is a community-wide collaborative between public, private and non-profit organizations to provide comprehensive services to domestic violence victims and their families in a centralized location, or `one-stop-shop.' Responsibilities include: -Answers telephone calls in a courteous and efficient manner, routes incoming calls or takes messages. -Warmly greets all visitors, performs the appropriate screening to determine the purpose of their visit, directs them to desired location or notifies appropriate staff. -Responds to inquiries appropriate to their job function and provide current information. -Performs a variety of clerical tasks such as typing, sorting documents, filing and operate office equipment. A competitive benefits package is offered, including health, dental and life insurance, short term disability, and a retirement plan, all paid by the agency. Vacation, sick and personal time off is also included. Applicants must be bi-lingual (English/Spanish). Must have ability to work until 8pm Monday-Thursday. Applicants must have moderate computer skills. This position requires a High School Diploma/GED and previous experience in administrative/receptionist and/or customer service is preferred. Interested parties should e-mail their resume to FJC Office Manager, Andrea Larson, at info@fjchc.org.  FJC Volunteer Program Are YOU interested in volunteering at the Family Justice Center? The Family Justice Center is always looking for people willing to share their time and service to help provide a safe and comfortable environment for all those we serve. Want to know more? Please attend our upcoming “Helping Hands” FJC Volunteer Training and Information Session.  Helping Hands: Volunteering at the FJC August 16th, 2011 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Interested in volunteering at the FJC? The Helping Hands: Volunteering at the FJC Training and Information Session is for you! Potential volunteers will learn about each volunteer position, safety and security policies of the FJC, volunteer scheduling, and other topics specific to volunteers in the program. Those interested in volunteering will also complete their volunteer application, have their initial interview, and tour the FJC.  To register for Helping Hands, CLICK HERE Unable to attend Helping Hands? Please visit the link below to complete a volunteer application: FJC VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Is your group interested in volunteering at the FJC? Please contact The Education and Outreach Coordinator: 813.490.9428 or outreach@fjchc.org . The Family Justice Center Training Academy Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County, Inc. Presents  The Child Welfare Domestic Violence Cross-System Training Series Presents: Understanding Batterers and Batterers Intervention Programs Facilitators: Bob Wright and Daniel Heresy August 10th, 2011 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm FJC Free The focus of this training is understanding the Model used in psycho-educational treatment and the learning how to increase communication between BIP providers and child welfare professionals. Additionally, participants will look at how domestic violence impacts our society as a whole.  Nuts and Bolts: The Basics of Domestic Violence Advocacy Training August 23rd and 24th 8:30am - 5:00pm October 25th and 26th 8:30am - 5:00pm FJC ***12 CEU’s*** ***14.5 General CLE’s*** $20 suggested donation Nuts and Bolts is a four part (FJC 101, 201, 301, 401), 2-day training offered to advocates, volunteers, interns, clergy, and other community based providers who work with victims of domestic violence. Topics include, dynamics of domestic violence, safety planning, lethality assessment, confidentiality, boundaries, working with diverse populations, dating violence, and effects of domestic violence on children and adolescents.  Please Register for All FJC Trainings at: http://www.fjchc.org/public/events.html SAIN Training Academy Presents:  Children with Sexually Acting Out Behaviors Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 8:30am– 12:30pm Family Justice Center  SAIN is a collaboration of volunteer professionals working to reduce the incidence of child on child sexual abuse in our community through identifying, referring, supervising and treating children with sexual behavior problems. “Children with Sexual Acting Out Behaviors” is a two-hour, introductory course for professionals working with children.  This course enables participants to distinguish between healthy and problematic sexual behaviors in children.  Topics including characteristics of sexually abusive youth, definition of child sexual abuse, strategies for preventing further victimization and the legal process in Hillsborough County are also covered in this course. Please Register for All SAIN Trainings at: http://www.fjchc.org/public/events.html SAIN is very excited to announce that we have added a new component to our program! Please see below for more info. Any individual with a concern about a child’s sexual behavior may make a referral to the SAIN Program.  The SAIN Program will offer a face to face assessment of the child and family to determine if a sexual behavior problem exists. Individualized Safety Planning will be developed with the family to address the client’s/families unique needs. Action steps will be identified by the family and timeframes for completion noted.  Psycho-Education will be offered to the client/family about the dynamics of child-on-child sexual abuse; normal sexuality in children/adolescents; healthy relationships; sexual abuse prevention activities, facilitated by the SAIN Family Coordinator. Individualized Information and Referral services will be provided to the client/family and driven by the SAIN assessment.  Treatment service recommendations will be given to the client/family and follow-up by the SAIN Family Coordinator will be made to determine progress towards completion of the identified safety plan action steps.  All referrals should be directed to:             The SAIN Family Coordinator 9309 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 109 Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 490-9405 (813) 935-2019 Fax hgraziano@fjchc.org An initial telephone contact is acceptable; however, a written referral is recommended before the program services can precede.  Written referrals are available in paper copy and on the SAIN website, www.hillsboroughsain.org. Mission Statement: The Hillsborough County System of Care is committed to the prevention and elimination of domestic violence in our community. We will increase public awareness and community involvement while encouraging local community leaders and other key service providers to support efforts to change the conventional polices and cultural practices that perpetuate violence against men, women and children. We will work to ensure policy and procedures support victims and hold offenders accountable. Vision Statement: To create a culture shift to eradicate domestic violence in our community while overcoming obstacles and challenges through advocacy, education and training.  Statement of Philosophy: Domestic Violence is a choice made by persons who strive to achieve power, control, and gratification through the manipulation of another person. This is obtained through a variety of abuse, such as, emotional, physical, sexual, psychological and economic. It is the objective of this training series to educate the community to further understand these types of victimization. Clarifying this would promote better and more meaningful supports and services. This is accomplished through: Training at the community and local level Dissemination of a variety of education materials Challenge system wide beliefs through multi-disciplinary collaborations Understanding Batterers and Batterers Intervention Programs – This training will focus on understanding the Model used in psycho-educational treatment and the learning how to increase communication between BIP providers and child welfare professionals. Additionally, participants will look at how domestic violence impacts our society as a whole. August 10, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm Facilitator: Bob Wright and Daniel Hersey Compassion Fatigue – This class focuses on how exposure to family violence affects those in the helping professions.  Discussion will consist of coping and adapting measures to assist in the prevention of burn-out. September 14, 2011 from1pm to 4pm Facilitator: Michelle Costley - Hillsborough Kids The Child Welfare/Domestic Violence Training series is designed for all staff who works in the child welfare and/or domestic violence systems. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of issues facing families impacted by child welfare and domestic violence issues. The goal is to help all professionals understand the complex issues of both child welfare and domestic violence advocates, and begin to develop a common understanding and language. Each training session is offered at the Family Justice Center, 9309 North Florida Ave, Suite 109, Tampa FL 33612. Please go to www.fjchc.org, go to the main site and click “events” to register. Registration is free, CEU’s are available for coursed indicated above. Where Violence against Women Meet Sexual and Domestic Violence Training September 27, 2011 8:30AM to 10:30 AM Sherrail Brown, Family Justice Center Marilyn Bray, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay Family Justice Center 9309 N. Florida Ave. Suite 109 Tampa, FL 33612 The topics that will be covered in this training include: Myths and common attitudes Statistics of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence The Cycle of Abuse Victimology Perpetrator Profile Power and Control History of the Women’s movement- DV and SV Solutions- Working together to provide continuum of care for clients & addressing needs Register at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1849228091 Wheels of Success Sometimes the Key to Success is Simply...a Key    Katie (whose name has been changed in this story to protect her privacy) and her two young children snuck out in the middle of the night and hopped a Greyhound bus to flee her abuser.  She stayed with family until she found a job and a place to call her own. After receiving her car from Wheels of Success at last year's Working Wheels Keep Families Working Labor Day event, Katie is no longer dependent upon her former abuser for transportation.  She has been able to continue her full time job to sustain her self-sufficiency, and her employer calls Katie a "role model and an exemplary employee." Katie is also going to culinary school to become a chef--a dream she has had for many years, but one her abuser would not allow her to pursue.    Katie is looking forward to a bright future for herself and her children.  Reliable transportation has been pivotal in the fulfillment of this single mom's career dream, as well as allowing her family to visit with grandparents and other relatives in other parts of Florida. The 6th Annual Working Wheels Keep Families Working Labor Day event will be held at the Tampa Convention Center on Monday, September 5, 2011. We invite you to join us to share in the joy of listening to success stories of a few of last year’s recipients and to watch this year’s recipients drive away in “new-to-them” vehicles. Please help us spread the word that we need 25 more donated vehicles to reach our goal of helping 55 families again this year. We accept vehicles in any condition—running or not. Towing is FREE, and donors receive the maximum allowable tax deduction from Uncle Sam. Supporters can also get together with their colleagues and friends to help us “Build A Car” by donating funds to pay for vehicle repairs. As little a $10 can help purchase parts at our negotiated prices: $10 buys wiper blades $20 buys a battery $25 provides an oil change $50 buys a tire with balancing $250 replaces a radiator $300 replaces a water pump $1000 buys an engine $1200 replaces a transmission Please call us or visit our website for details:  813-417-1090 www.wheelsofsuccess.org Community Meetings FJC Partner Council Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be on August 10th, 2011 at 9 am at the Family Justice Center. Contact Shannon Sokolowski at: ssokolowski@fjchc.org with any questions. Sexual Abuse Intervention Network (SAIN) Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be on August 17th 2011 at 9 am at the Family Justice Center. Contact Renee Ristow at: rristow@fjchc.org with any questions. Sexual Violence Task Force Meetings are held monthly at rotating partner agencies. The next meeting will be on August 24th, 2011 at noon at the Ophelia Project. Contact Marilyn Bray at: mbray@crisiscenter.com with any questions. Child Welfare/ Domestic Violence Policy Group August 23rd, 2011 at TBA. Contact Nikki Daniels at: ndaniels@fjchc.org with any questions. Hillsborough County Domestic Violence Task Force Committee Meetings: Domestic Violence Task Force September 8th 2011 at 10:30am at the Crisis Center. Contact Nikki Daniels at ndaniels@fjchc.org for more information. DVTF Committee Meetings Fatality Review Planning Committee ( Formerly Project L.A.U.R.A) TBA at the Family Justice Center. Contact Roseanne Cupoli at: rocupoli@thespring.org or 813-247-5433 ext. 309 for more information. Public Policy Committee Working on DV and Child Welfare project. August 23rd, 2011 at TBA. Contact Nikki Daniels at: ndaniels@fjchc.org or 813-490-9401. Community Education & Awareness Committee August 11th, 2011 at 9:00am at the Family Justice Center. Contact Brenda Rouse at: bprouse@thespring.org or 813-247-5433 ext. 325. Text Box: The Family Justice Center Presents: A Gift Of Presence: Interfaith Chaplaincy August 8th, 2011 4:30pm – 5:00pm Registration and Mingling 5:00pm- 9:00pm Program Family Justice Center A Gift of Presence is an Interfaith Chaplaincy Program training for clergy and lay people on the complex issues of providing spiritual support to victims of domestic violence. This training addresses the key faith issues a domestic violence victim may be facing and teaches clergy how to offer support that focuses on safety and is victim-centered. This training also addresses the issue of providing the Gift of Presence in a non-sectarian, non-proselytizing fashion. For more information or to register, please visit our website www.fjchc.org. Save the Date The Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County is hosting an Open House Celebrating our 5th Anniversary Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Family Justice Center 9309 N. Florida Avenue, Suite 109 Presentations 10:00 - 10:45 AM Facility Tours 9:00-10:00; 11:00 -12:00 & 5:00 -7:00 On Saturday, August 27th, Macy’s is having it’s 6th Annual Shop for a Cause. This is your opportunity to be part of the excitement and raise money for the Family Justice Center! Just purchase a shopping card from the FJC which includes savings of 20% or 10% off most regular, sale and clearance purchased all day, plus 25% off one regular, sale or clearance item in men’s, women’s or kids apparel or accessories. Of course, some exclusions apply, but all proceeds from the card sales go directly towards supporting FJC guests! Cards can be used online or at a Macy’s near you! For more information or to purchase a shopping card, please e-mail The Outreach Coordinator at outreach@fjchc.org.